Combination eating utensil device and method

ABSTRACT

A combination eating utensil is disclosed herein. The combination eating utensil includes a first chopstick, a second chopstick, a first absorbent body and a second absorbent body. The first absorbent body and the second absorbent body may be wrapped around the first chopstick and the second chopstick respectively. The combination eating utensil is useful for providing a means for eating comestibles and for removing food debris.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of eating utensils and more specifically relates to a combination eating utensil.

2. Description of Related Art

Chopsticks are well known in the art. They are characterized by a pair of equal-length smoothed and tapered sticks, and are commonly made of bamboo, plastic, wood, or stainless steel. Chopsticks are held in the dominant hand, between the thumb and fingers, and used to pick up pieces of food. They were first invented in China over nine thousand years ago and their popularity has grown more and more in the western world over recent years, becoming a staple in a lot of restaurants and homes around the United States. Chopsticks are used for a wide variety of foods, from noodles to sushi, and are a particularly helpful utensil for messy foods and foods known to soil the fingers.

Whilst eating, it is common for the mouth and facial area to become soiled and need wiping. A napkin is well known for this purpose. Typically, a napkin is a rectangle piece of cloth used at the table; usually small and folded, sometimes in intricate designs and shapes. The problem with conventional napkins is that when at home, a person has to remember to bring napkins to the table. If the napkins are forgotten, it is both time consuming and disruptive to the meal to have to get up and search for the napkins. Additionally, napkins tend to take up a lot of room on a small table and become more of a hindrance than a help.

At restaurants, napkins routinely fall onto the floor. This typically results in a diner having to wait for a fresh napkin to be brought to them. This is disruptive to the meal. Further to this, it is wasteful and costly to provide napkins when only a small area of the napkin is being used to wipe the mouth. Accordingly, there is a need for a combination chopsticks and napkin utensil to provide a desirable solution.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,266,865 to Rodin relates to a combination napkin clip and utensil rest. The described combination napkin clip and utensil rest includes a device which functions as a rest for a knife, fork and spoon and also functions as a clip for a rolled up napkin with utensils therein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known eating utensil art, the present disclosure provides a novel combination eating utensil. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a combination eating utensil.

A combination eating utensil assembly is disclosed herein. The combination eating utensil assembly may comprise a pair of chopsticks including a first chopstick having a first-elongated profile, a first-proximal end, and a first-distal end that may be configured for engagement with a comestible. Likewise, a second chopstick having a second-elongated profile, a second-proximal end, and a second-distal end that may be configured for engagement with the comestible. The combination eating utensil assembly may further comprise a first-absorbent body configured to provide a means for removing food debris. The first-absorbent body may be removably wrapped around the first-proximal end of the first chopstick. Equally, a second-absorbent body may be configured to provide a means for removing the food debris and may be removably wrapped around the second-proximal end of the second chopstick.

According to another embodiment, a combination eating utensil assembly is also disclosed herein. The combination eating utensil assembly includes a first chopstick having a first-elongated profile, a first-proximal end, and a first-distal end configured for engagement with a comestible; and a second chopstick having a second-elongated profile, a second-proximal end, and a second-distal end configured for engagement with the comestible. A first-absorbent body having a first tip and configured to provide a means for removing food debris, may be removably wrapped around the first-proximal end of the first chopstick covering approximately 3 inches of the first-proximal end of the first chopstick. Similarly, a second-absorbent body having a second tip and configured to provide a means for removing the food debris, may be removably wrapped around the second-proximal end of the second chopstick covering approximately 3 inches of the second-proximal end of the second chopstick.

Further, a first anti-slip material comprising a heat resistant rubber may be fixedly attached inside the first-absorbent body via an adhesive and configured to inhibit movement of the first-absorbent body from the first chopstick. Correspondingly, a second anti-slip material comprising a heat resistant rubber may be fixedly attached inside the second-absorbent body via an adhesive and configured to inhibit movement of the second-absorbent body from the second chopstick. In addition, the combination eating utensil assembly may also include a paper loop useful for removably-coupling the first chopstick and the second chopstick together during the non-use condition.

According to this embodiment, the first-absorbent body and the second-absorbent body may comprise cotton fabric and alternatively polyester fabric. According to this embodiment, the pair of chopsticks may be configured to be ergonomically gripped by a hand of a user at the first-proximal end and the second-proximal end of the first chopstick and the second chopstick respectively to manipulate the first-distal end and the second-distal end of the first chopstick and the second chopstick respectively for retaining the comestible.

According to another embodiment, a method of using a combination eating utensil is also disclosed herein. The method of using a combination eating utensil includes opening a packaging and removing the pair of chopsticks, releasing the pair of chopsticks from the paper loop, using the pair of chopsticks to consume comestible(s) and wiping food debris from a mouth of a user with the first-absorbent body removably wrapped around the first-proximal end of the first chopstick and alternatively with the second-absorbent body removably wrapped around the second-proximal end of the second chopstick. According to an alternative embodiment, the method of using a combination eating utensil may further include disposing of the first-absorbent body and alternatively the second-absorbent body after wiping the food debris from the mouth of a user. In a further alternative embodiment, washing the first-absorbent body and alternatively the second absorbent body, and re-using the first-absorbent body and alternatively the second-absorbent body.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a combination eating utensil, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the combination eating utensil during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the combination eating utensil during an ‘in-use’ condition, illustrating a user wiping food debris from their mouth according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of the combination eating utensil of FIG. 1, illustrating a first-absorbent body removably wrapped around a first chopstick according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a front perspective view of the combination eating utensil of FIG. 1, illustrating a second-absorbent body removed from a second chopstick according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of the combination eating utensil of FIG. 1, illustrating the first-absorbent body removably wrapped around the first chopstick according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B is a front perspective view of the combination eating utensil of FIG. 1, illustrating the second-absorbent body removed from the second chopstick according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for eating comestibles and for removing food debris, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a eating utensils and more particularly to a combination eating utensil as used to improve the means for eating comestibles and for removing food debris.

Generally, the combination eating utensil may comprise a pair of chopsticks that are useful for food consumption. The combination eating utensil may further comprise two soft towel-like products that may cover the end three inches of the chopsticks. Each individual chopstick may have one of the two towel-like products on its end. The towel-like product serves the purpose of a serviette or a napkin and is useful for wiping away any food debris from a mouth, or surrounding facial skin, of a user.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of a combination eating utensil 100. FIG. 1 shows a combination eating utensil during an ‘in-use’ condition 150, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the combination eating utensil may be beneficial for use by a user 140 to eat comestibles and remove food debris. As illustrated, the combination eating utensil 100 may include a first chopstick 110, a second chopstick 120, a first-absorbent body 130 and a second-absorbent body 135.

According to one embodiment, the combination eating utensil 100 may be arranged as a kit. In particular, the combination eating utensil 100 may further include a set of instructions. The instructions may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the combination eating utensil 100 (such that the combination eating utensil 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner).

FIG. 2 shows the combination eating utensil of FIG. 1, illustrating a user wiping their mouth with the first-absorbent body 130 and demonstrating that the first-absorbent body may remain removably wrapped on the first chopstick 110 when in use according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the combination eating utensil 100 may include the first chopstick 110 having a first-elongated profile, a first-proximal end 112, and a first-distal end 114, the second chopstick 120 having a second-elongated profile, a second-proximal end 122, and a second-distal end 124, the first-absorbent body 130 configured to provide a means for removing food debris 10 may be removably wrapped around the first-proximal end 112 of the first chopstick 110, and the second-absorbent body 135 configured to provide a means for removing the food debris 10 may be removably wrapped around the second-proximal end 122 of the second chopstick 120. In one embodiment, the combination eating utensil 100 may include a paper loop 202 useful for removably-coupling the first chopstick 110 and the second chopstick 120 together during a non-use condition. Further, the combination eating utensil 100 may include a package 204 useful for removably-retaining the first chopstick 110 and the second chopstick 120 together during the non-use condition.

FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of the combination eating utensil of FIG. 1, illustrating the first-absorbent body 130 wrapped around the first-proximal end 122 of the first chopstick 110 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the first-absorbent body 130 may cover approximately 3 inches of the first-proximal end 112 of the first chopstick 110 and the second-absorbent body 135 may cover approximately 3 inches of the second-proximal end 122 of the second chopstick 120. The first-absorbent body 130 and the second-absorbent body 135 may comprise a threaded material having a texture configured to grip to and remove the food debris 10. Further, the first-absorbent body 130 and the second-absorbent body 135 may comprise cotton fabric and alternatively polyester fabric. As an alternative to this, the first-absorbent body 130 and the second-absorbent body 135 may comprise a paper material and be formed to a substantial thickness. In the preferred embodiment, the first-absorbent body 130 and the second-absorbent body 135 may be composed of a washable material and configured for re-use. Alternatively, in a further embodiment, the first-absorbent body 130 and the second-absorbent body 135 may be configured for disposal after use.

FIG. 3B is a front perspective view of the combination eating utensil of FIG. 1, illustrating the second-absorbent body 135 removed from the second-proximal end 122 of the second chopstick 120.

FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of the combination eating utensil of FIG. 1, showing the first-absorbent body 130 wrapped around the first-proximal end 112 of the first chopstick 110 and illustrating the components of the first-absorbent body 130. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first-absorbent body 130 may include a first-tip 145 configured to removably retain the first-absorbent body 130 on the first-proximal end 112 of the first chopstick 110. Similarly, the second-absorbent body 135 may include a second-tip 160 configured to removably retain the second-absorbent body 135 on the second-proximal end 122 of the second chopstick 120. In one embodiment, the first-tip and the second-tip may be rounded.

The first-absorbent body 130 may further comprise a first anti-slip material 302 housed therein, configured to inhibit movement of the first-absorbent body 130 from the first chopstick 110 and fixedly attached to the first-absorbent body 130 via an adhesive. Likewise, the second-absorbent body 135 may further comprise a second anti-slip material 304 housed therein, configured to inhibit movement of the second-absorbent body 135 from the second chopstick 120, and fixedly attached to the second-absorbent body 135 via the adhesive. The first-anti slip material 302 and the second anti-slip material 304 may comprise a heat-resistant rubber. Further examples of anti-slip material may include other rubbers, silicone, synthetic anti-slip polymers, and the like.

FIG. 4B is a front perspective view of the combination eating utensil of FIG. 1, illustrating the second-absorbent body 135 released from the second-proximal end 122 of the second chopstick 120 and demonstrating a view of the second anti-slip material 304 housed within the second-absorbent body 135. As above, the second-absorbent body may include a second anti-slip material 304 comprising a heat resistant rubber, configured to inhibit movement of the second-absorbent body 135 from the second chopstick 120 and fixedly attached inside the second-absorbent body 135 via the adhesive. Similarly, the first-absorbent body 130 may include the first anti-slip material 302 comprising a heat resistant rubber, configured to inhibit movement of the first-absorbent body 130 from the first chopstick 110 and fixedly attached inside the first-absorbent body 130 via the adhesive. In one embodiment, the adhesive may be heat-resistant.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for eating comestibles and for removing food debris according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method for eating comestibles and for removing food debris 500 may include one or more components or features of the combination eating utensil 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method for eating comestibles and for removing food debris 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, opening the package 204 and removing the pair of chopsticks; step two 502, releasing the pair of chopsticks from the paper loop 202; step three 503, using the pair of chopsticks to consume comestible 15; step four 504, wiping food debris 10 from a mouth of a user 140 with a first-absorbent body 130 removably wrapped around a first-proximal end 112 of a first chopstick 110 and alternatively with a second-absorbent body 135 removably wrapped around a second-proximal end 122 of a second chopstick 120; step five 505, disposing of the first-absorbent body 130 and alternatively the second-absorbent body 135; step six 506, washing the first-absorbent body 130 and alternatively the second absorbent body 135; and step seven 507, re-using the first-absorbent body 130 and alternatively the second-absorbent body 135.

It should be noted that step(s) 505, 506 and 507 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for eating comestibles and for removing food debris (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

1. (canceled)
 2. A combination eating utensil assembly, the combination eating utensil assembly comprising: a pair of chopsticks including; a first chopstick having a first-elongated profile, a first-proximal end, and a first-distal end, said first-distal end configured for engagement with a comestible; and a second chopstick having a second-elongated profile, a second-proximal end, and a second-distal end, said second-distal end configured for engagement with said comestible; a first-absorbent body, said first-absorbent body configured to provide a means for removing food debris, said first-absorbent body removably wrapped around said first-proximal end of said first chopstick; and a second-absorbent body, said second-absorbent body configured to provide a means for removing said food debris, said second-absorbent body removably wrapped around said second-proximal end of said second chopstick; wherein said pair of chopsticks are configured to be ergonomically gripped by a hand of a user at said first-proximal end and said second-proximal end of said first chopstick and said second chopstick respectively to manipulate said first-distal end and said second-distal end of said first chopstick and said second chopstick respectively for retaining said comestible; wherein said combination eating utensil assembly is configured to provide a means for eating said comestible(s) and a means for removing said food debris; and wherein said first-absorbent body and said second-absorbent body comprises a threaded material having a texture configured to grip to and remove said food debris.
 3. The combination eating utensil assembly of claim 2, wherein said first-absorbent body includes a first-tip, said first-tip configured to removably retain said first-absorbent body on said first-proximal end of said first chopstick.
 4. The combination eating utensil assembly of claim 3, wherein said second-absorbent body includes a second-tip, said second-tip configured to removably retain said second-absorbent body on said second-proximal end of said second chopstick.
 5. The combination eating utensil assembly of claim 4, wherein said first-absorbent body comprises a first anti-slip material housed therein, said first anti-slip material configured to inhibit movement of said first-absorbent body from said first chopstick, said first anti-slip material fixedly attached to said first-absorbent body via an adhesive.
 6. The combination eating utensil assembly of claim 5, wherein said second-absorbent body comprises a second anti-slip material housed therein, said second anti-slip material configured to inhibit movement of said second-absorbent body from said second chopstick, said second anti-slip material fixedly attached to said second-absorbent body via said adhesive.
 7. The combination eating utensil assembly of claim 6, wherein said first anti-slip material and said second anti-slip material comprises a heat-resistant rubber.
 8. The combination eating utensil assembly of claim 7, wherein said first-absorbent body covers approximately 3 inches of said first-proximal end of said first chopstick and said second-absorbent body covers approximately 3 inches of said second-proximal end of said second chopstick.
 9. The combination eating utensil assembly of claim 7, wherein said first-absorbent body and said second-absorbent body are configured for disposal after use.
 10. The combination eating utensil assembly of claim 7, wherein said first-absorbent body and said second-absorbent body are composed of a washable material and configured for re-use.
 11. The combination eating utensil assembly of claim 7 further comprising a paper loop useful for removably-coupling said first chopstick and said second chopstick together during a non-use condition.
 12. The combination eating utensil assembly of claim 7 further comprising a package, said package useful for removably-retaining said first chopstick and said second chopstick together during said non-use condition.
 13. The combination eating utensil assembly of claim 7, wherein said first-absorbent body and said second-absorbent body comprises cotton fabric and alternatively polyester fabric.
 14. The combination eating utensil assembly of claim 7, wherein said first-absorbent body and said second-absorbent body comprises a paper material and formed to a substantial thickness.
 15. A combination eating utensil assembly having: a pair of chopsticks, said pair of chopsticks including; a first chopstick having a first-elongated profile, a first-proximal end, and a first-distal end, said first-distal end configured for engagement with a comestible; and a second chopstick having a second-elongated profile, a second-proximal end, and a second-distal end, said second-distal end configured for engagement with said comestible; a first-absorbent body having a first-tip, said first-absorbent body configured to provide a means for removing food debris, said first-absorbent body removably wrapped around said first-proximal end of said first chopstick, and said first-absorbent body covering approximately 3 inches of said first-proximal end of said first chopstick; a second-absorbent body having a second-tip, said second-absorbent body configured to provide a means for removing said food debris, said second-absorbent body removably wrapped around said second-proximal end of said second chopstick, and said second-absorbent body covering approximately 3 inches of said second-proximal end of said second chopstick; a first anti-slip material comprising a heat resistant rubber, said first anti-slip fixedly attached inside said first-absorbent body via an adhesive, said first-anti-slip configured to inhibit movement of said first-absorbent body from said first chopstick; a second anti-slip material comprising a heat resistant rubber, said second anti-slip material fixedly attached inside said second-absorbent body via an adhesive, said second-anti-slip configured to inhibit movement of said second-absorbent body from said second chopstick; and a paper loop useful for removably-coupling said first chopstick and said second chopstick together during a non-use condition; wherein said first-absorbent body and said second-absorbent body comprises cotton fabric and alternatively polyester fabric; wherein said pair of chopsticks are configured to be ergonomically gripped by a hand of a user at said first-proximal end and said second-proximal end of said first chopstick and said second chopstick respectively to manipulate said first-distal end and said second-distal end of said first chopstick and said second chopstick respectively for retaining said comestible; and wherein said combination eating utensil assembly is configured to provide a means for eating said comestible(s) and a means for removing said food debris.
 16. The combination eating utensil assembly of claim 15, wherein said first-absorbent body and said second-absorbent body are configured for disposal after use.
 17. The combination eating utensil assembly of claim 15, wherein said first-absorbent body and said second-absorbent body are composed of a washable material and configured for re-use. 18-20. (canceled) 